A New Hampshire Senate panel is holding a hearing on a bill that would take away using deadly force as a first option for someone defending themselves or others in a public place if they could safely retreat from the threat.

Republicans pushed the current law through two years ago over a governor's veto and law enforcement's objections. The law allows people to use deadly force to defend themselves any place they have a right to be without having a duty to retreat.

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The Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing Tuesday on whether New Hampshire should return to the old law based on the Castle Doctrine, which says a person does not have to retreat from intruders at home before using deadly force.